Parachute apparatus



Jan. 26, 1932. L L, "WIN 1,842,611

PARACHUTE APPARA'IU 5 Filed March 20, 1931' 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

Leslie L. 11"ViT1 W ATTORNEY Filed March 20, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Leslie L. Irvin ATTORN EYS.

Jan. 26, 1932. |RV|N 1,842,611

PARACHUTE APPARATUS Filed March 20. 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYS.

PARACHUTE APPARATUS Filed March 20, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

L a she L. Irvin ATTORNEYS.

Federated .lan. f6, 1932 lllllWlED STATES PATENT OFFICE IhlilfillhltE If. lflftlTlItl, flit? BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T IRVING AIR CHUTE COMPANY, INC 01E BUFFALO, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION PARA-CH1] TE APPARATUS Application filed March 20, 193i.

ll his invention relates to improvements in parachute apparatus.

'lhe primary obyect of this lnvention 1s the provision of an improved type of parachute harness possessing the general characteristics of the harness set forth in a co-pending U. S. application, Serial No. 4:81,?)17, filed September ll, 1930, but embodying improvements thereover in the provision of means which enables the harness to be worn by pilots and aviators of varying statures.

lh further object of this invention is the provision of an improved coupling member which comprises a one-point release mecha nism for the releasable attachment of the harness upon the wearer and which may be operated with facility and safety to permit the aviator to instantly discard the harness Without the operation of any other couplings or connectors.

flther objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

lln the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure l is a perspective view of the improved harness and connector showing the same in the position in which it will ordinarily rest in an aviators seat within the aircraft, in position to enable the aviator to sit thereon and instantly apply the same upon himself or herself with far greater case than it would be possible to place the harness upon himself or herself if standing in an upright position.

Figure 2 is a front elevation showing the application of the improved harness and connector upon a wearer.

Figure 3 is a rear side elevation of the harnos-s as applied to a wearer.

Figure 4- is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken through the loop portion of the harness which fits upwardly between the legs of the wearer, showing an improved adjustable feature associated therewith, which is not shown in the co-pending application above mentioned.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view Serial N 0. 524,111.

showing the adjustable construction of one of the leg straps of the improved harness.

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the relation in which the improved harness fits upon a wearer; this particular harness havingthe suspension straps associated thereon for the reception of the quick connector type of parachute pack set forth in a co-pending U. S. application Serial No. 395,399, filed September 26, 1929, in the United States.

Figure 7 is a cross sectional View taken through the improved coupling or connector substantially on the line 7-7 of Figure 2, showing more particularly the detents in position for the slipping of the complementary harness parts thereon.

Figure 8 is a cross sectional view with the detents in the depressed position which they will assume upon the proper manipulation of a hand engaging portion of the device.

Figure 9 is a cross sectional View taken through the improved connector substantially on the line 99 of Figure 2, showing the hand engaging portion in the position in which it is safely held for retention of the harness upon the wearer.

Figure 10 is a cross sectional view similar to Figure 9, but showing the hand engaging portion manipulated to a position where it is held depressed for automatic release of the harness parts therefrom.

Figure 11 is a cross sectional view taken through the improved connector device substantially on the line l1l1 of Figure 9.

Figure 12 is an enlarged side elevation of the shaft or stem of the hand manipulated portion of the improved device, showing more particularly the grooved construct-ion of the same for the reception of a detent pin which regulates the safetied operation of the device.

Figures 13 and 14 are cross sectional views taken substantially on their respective lines shown in Figure 12 of the drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein similar characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A may generally designate the improved parachute harness, which may be used with parachute acks or apparatus of any approved type. the drawlngs, the seat type of ack B is shown attach d with the sling o the harness, although harness is capable of I use with any type of parachute pack, such as the lap iiype chest t 1 back type or it is adaptable or' -use wit tlie quick cdnnector P l The harness is preferably of woven textile flexible linen or other webbing, and the strap portions thereof lie com actly and flexibly against the body in snug orm-fitting en agement. The harness possesses some of the characteristics of the harness now in standard use throughout the United States and foreign countries, and an essential characteristic of the same is that it is of the U-sling supporting type having lift webs or. suspension lines arranged in attachment with the pack, or for attachment therewith as in conventional parachute construction. Amon the conventional parachute harnesses to w ich reference is made are those such as shown in U. S. Patents Nos. 1,440,151; 1,560,366; 1,367,723, and 1,403,984. The present type, however, re-

quires only a single connector to serve the purpose of expeditious donning and dofling of t e harness.

. The harness, A of the present invention preferably consists of the main U-shaped sling 15 having a seat portion 16 which strad dles across the seat of the wearer and the riser webs-17 and 18, the free ends of which have suitable D-rings or other connections as for attachment to the parachute canopy, as is set forth in the co-pendin g applications above referred to. 1

Shoulder, webs orstraps 21 and 22 are provided, adjustably connected intermediate the 4o ends of each respectively upon the u per portions of the riser straps or webs 1 and 18, after the manner set forth in the co-pending application, Serial No. 481,317 above referred to, by means of suitable adjusting buckles or fasteners 23 and 24 respectively, as is shown in the drawings. The outermost suspension strap ends 30 and 31 of the shoulder straps 21 and 22 respectively are provided Wlth'Sllltable D-rings (not shown), or other types of fasteners, which receive-the shroud lines of the parachute canopy in the mannerset forth in the co-pending applications above mentioned, and complementary with the like fasteners which are disposed atthe free ends of the riser webs 17an d 18. The front or lower end rtions 32 and 33 of the straps 21 and 22 lie at the front of the wearer in diagonal relation thereacross, extending downwardly from the shoulders, as shown in Figure 2, and are provided attheirlower' free ends with,

permanently secured flatconnector parts 40 and 41, which may beforge metal or suitable strong stampings having eye openings there in for receiving certain detents of the single 55 connector device designated at G in the drawings. Preferably these fastener parts 40 and 41 have elongated slots for the threading therethrough of the free ends of the shoulder straps 21 and 22, as shown in Figure 1, and the free ends of these fastener parts are reduced at their apertured end.

The harness, as is shown in the co-pending application Serial No. 481,317, above mentioned, and as shown in Figure 6 of the drawings of the present invention, is provided with a second U-shaped sling 47, which includes the portion 48 overlying upon the inner side of the sling seat 16 of the main sling 15. The minor or inner sling 47 has short riser straps or webs 50 and 51 extending from the sides of the-harness which-are adapted to encircle along the outer sides of the legs of the wearer in a cooperative leg clamping relation with a complementary leg attaching strap loop 52 to be subsequently described. The free ends of the riser web loops 50 and 51 are each provided with an adjusting buckle 30 of the three-bar type, and this adjusting buckle 30 is adj ustably threaded, as shown in Figure 5, upon the riser portions 50 and 51, thus doubling the outer end portions of the riser straps 50 and 51 in an adjusting loop whereby the lengths of the riser portions 50 and 51 may be adjusted to suit the stature of the wearer. The adjusting loops are threaded slida-bly through eyelet fastener parts 54 and 55, for the riser straps 50 and 51 respectively,

of the same nature as the fastener parts 40 and 41above described; the same havin eye openings for receiving the detents o the coupling or single connector member C to be subsequently described. It will be readily understood from Fi ure 5 of the drawings that the three-bar a justing buckle 30 may.

be slid along the .riser strap 50 or 51 with which it is connected to adjust the said riser strap as to length.

The leg attaching loop 52 preferably comprises a closed loop which is adjustable in size. and 61 permanently stitched or connected at 62 and 63 respectively upon the seat portion of the sling of the harness between the seat straps 16 and 48. The strap portions 60 and 61, as more particularly shown in Figure. 4 of" the drawings, are provided with three-bar adjusting buckles 33 and 34 at the respective ends thereof, and theend portions .of these straps 60 and61 are. relatively overlapped in an adjustable relation and the strap 60 is adjustably threaded through the buckle 33 and the strap 61" adjustably threaded through the ztrap34, as shown in Figure 4, so that the over apping lengths of these straps 60 and 61 may be varied'to adjust the loop 52 to the proper size in accord with the stature of the wearer; It is-to be distinctly understood that the overlapping portions of these straps 60 and 61 are not stitched to.- gether.

It includes the web or leg straps 60 till The riser webs 17 and 18 of the main sling are connected by means of an upper cross strap 161, at a location which places the same at or below the shoulder blades in approximately the position shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. This strap 161 is preferably fixedly stitched at 167 to the straps 17 and 18, as shown in Figure 6, and if desired it may be made adjustable in length. A lower back strap 162 is provided, which fits across the small of the back of the wearer and is permanently stitched at 169 to the riser webs 17 and 18 above the seat portion of the sling 16. The strap 162 continues about the sides of the harness, in position to engage about the sides of the wearer adjacent the hips. The side portions, designated at 170 in the drawings, are permanently stitched at 171 to the straps and 51 above the seat sling portion 48 of the minor sling member 47, at the sides of the harness. The strap 162 may be adjustable in length, or adjustable at its connections if found desirable.

The connector device C is preferably permanently attached at some place upon the harness. Tt is a matter of choice Where the same may be connected. Preferably it is connected to the loop structure 52, as shown in the drawings, by means of an attaching strap 70, which is looped at 71 to provide an opening through which the overlapping adjustable ends of the strap loop 52 slidably extends. This strap lies in a position which is normal to the overlapping end portions of the loop 50 adjacent thereto, and it is of course flexible and has the connector C attached at the connector shank 72 The connector (I is somewhat easier to manipulate than the connectors shown in the copending application, Serial No. 481,317 above referred to, and it has been constructed with the idea in view of facilitating operation, without sacrificing safety and durability. Tt permits of the quick attachment or detachment of the free ends of the harness straps 32, 33, 50 and 51. It preferably is constructed of aluminum, or some light weight material, and includes a hollow body 80 of substantially rectangular formation; the corners being convexly rounded. The body has a chamber 81 wherein are positioned spring urged detents. A cover plate 82 is provided, which is detachably connected upon the open bottom of the body 80 to enclose the chamber 81. This attachment is effected by means of screw or bolt elements 88 in the positions shown in Figures 9, 10 and 11 of the drawings. The body 80 is provided with a wall 84 spaced from the cover plate 82 to define the chamber 81. In this wall 84 are rcciprocably mounted the spring urged detents 88. The wall 84 is integrally connected with a spaced plate 85 by means of a cylindrical shaped hub portion 86 centrally of the body, to define an annular space tioned. The bolts 83 have their heads countersunk in openings in the cover plate 82,

and the shanks thereof extend through the chambers 81 and through suitable openings in the wall 84L and are attached in screw threaded openings 83 in the plate 85, as is shown in Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings. Filler pieces 86, in the nature of washers, are disposed upon the bolts or screws 83 in the annular space 87. These bolts 83 are disposed at the sidesof the body 80 between the corners thereof, so as not to interfere with the detents 88, which are positioned at the corners of the body 80.

The detents 88 are of hollow formation, having disposed therein compression springs 89 which engage the cover plate 82 and force the detents outwardly across the space 87 into engagement with the under surface of the plate 85, as shown in Figure 7 These detents are provided with sloping cam faces 91 which face towards the outer periphery of the connector C, in the general direction of the adjacent corner with which the respective detents are associated, to enable the facile riding of the ends of the fastener parts of the harness thereover so that the dctents may engage through the eyes or openings of the fastener parts in a manner which is more particularly set forth in the eopending application above mentioned.

Means is provided for the simultaneous depression of all of the detents and to hold the detents against rotation. This means is in the general nature of a depressible button device which includes a reciprocating hub or hollow shaft 93 slidable through the axial opening 94 in the body 80 and hub and plate 86 and 85 above mentioned. Within the chamber 81 the shaft 93 is provided with a four-armed spider 95. This spider 95 is detachably held in place as is shown in Figure 7 of the drawings by means of a washer-like disc 95 which has a screw threaded opening therein; a central bolt or screw 97 extending axially through the shaft 93 and at its screw threaded end engaging in the screw threaded opening centrally in the disc 95 so as to clamp the latter against the spider 95 which is assembled upon the reduced inner end of the shaft 93, as shown in Figure 7 In order to hold the washer nut 95 against rotation, it is shown in Figure 11 of the drawings that the reduced end of the shaft 93 has a slot which receives a key 98 of the nut 95.

The spider 95 is of course provided with diametrically opposed pairs of arms 85, which are bifurcated or'slotted at their free ends to provide narrow slots 86 opening at the free ends, which receive therein the body portions of the detents 88. The latter are flattened at their opposed sides, as shown at 86 in the drawings, with which the sides of the slots 86 engage to hold the detents in definite non-rotatablerelation. The detents 88 are each provided with flanges 96 at their ends within the chamber 81, which engage against the under sides ofthe spider arms 85 so as to prevent the disconnection of the spider arms and detents, as will be quite apparent.

The outer end of the stem or shaft 93 is recessed at 99 and detachably receives therein a non-rotatable hub portion on the lower surface of a disc-like press button 97. The head of the screw 97 is counter-sunk in the press button 97 and the screw or bolt 97 extends through the press button 97 to hold the latter assembled in definite non-rotatable relation upon the stem or shank 93. In the relation of parts shown the disc-like button 97 lies spaced from the outer or top surface of the plate 85, so that the button 97 may be vided for the connector, which in some respects is more efiicient, and which may be more expeditiously operatedthan the safetying devices of the forms of connectors shown inthe co-pending application 481,317, above mentioned. This safetying arrangement includes a spring operated plunger pin 100 mounted for radial reciprocation in a suitable opening in the body 80, preferably in an enlarged portion of the hub 86, as shown in Figure 9. This plunger pin 100 has a spring 101 compressed thereagainst and held in position in a suitable ocpening in the body portion of the connector by means of a detachable cap screw 102. The plunger pin 100 is urged against the stem or shaft 93 and more particularly into an endless groove which is provided inwardly of the outer peripherv of said stem 93. This endless groove as is shown in the drawings, includes upper andlower horizontal groove portions 105 passageway and 106 respectively, connected at similar ends thereof by a passageway 107, and at the opposite similar ends thereof by a groove 108. The grooves 105 and 106 are separated by a battle portion 109 which defines the endless construction of the groove. It is more particularly the shape of the bottom of the groove that results in the improved safetying of the connector. The inner end of the plunger 100 is of course disposed at all times within the endless groove.

Referring to the bottom structure of the endless slot in the shaft 93, with the button 97 in the positions shown in Figures 7 and 9 of the drawings, it is to be noted that the detents 88 are in position across the slot 87 in a relation to restrain and hold the fastener parts 40, 41, 54 and when attached to the connector. In this position of parts the pin 100 is urged by its spring into the left hand end of the lower groove portion 106 as shown in Figure 12, and in that end of the groove 106 it is shown that there is a slight depression 110 wherein the rounded inner end of the pin fits. Bearingin mind that the spring 101 forces the detent pin firmly in engagement against the bottom of the slot or groove in the shaft 93, it is apparent that this spring action will offer a resistance to turning of the shaft 93 inasmuch as the bottom- 111 of the groove 106 slopes from the depression 110 so as to cause the pin 100 to further compress the spring 101 should any attempt be made to turn the shaft 93. Thus, there will be no accidental turning of the shaft 93. The depression 110 is immediately at one end of the passageway 107, but the operator is prevented from depressing the shaft 93 with the pin in this position, inasmuch as the depression 110 is deeper measured radially of the shaft 93 than the end of the upper groove 105 of the passageway 107 defining a shoulder at the end of the passageway 107 adjacent the depression 110, shown at 115 in Figure 9 of the drawings, which prevents the depression of the button 97 when the pin is in this position. The button 97 cannot be de ressed for releasing the detents until the s aft 93 is rotated through 90. To effect this the operator grasps the button 97, which preferably is provided with opposed flat sides to facilitate in turning, and the button is ro-' tated through 90 of movement, causing the plunger 100 to ride across the bottom 111 of the groove 106, againstresistance of the spring 101, further compressing the latter until the inner end of the pin 100 rides onto the fiat bottom 117 at the end of the groove 106 facing the passageway 108. In this position, since it can be seen from Figure 13 of the drawings that the bottom 117 of the groove 106 'lies radially outwardly further than the bottom of the upper groove facing the passageway 108, the operator may then depress the button 97, causing all of the detents 88 to simultaneously depress and release the fasteners of the harness, in a manner which has been described in detail in the co-pending application, Serial No.-

481,317 above mentioned, and enablng the operator to free himself from the harness. This depression of the button 97 and corresponding movement of the shaft 93-permits the spring urged plunger 100 to drop into the deeper depression 120 at the end of the slot 105 facing the passageway 108, and inasmuch as the inner end of the plunger then extends across the shoulder 121, it is impossible to pull the button 97 outwardly and it will be held in the depressed position shown in Figures 8 and 1d, notwithstanding the fact that the detent springs 89 are fully com ressed. In order to again permit the button 9 to assume a spaced position from the plate 85 and to permit the detents to engage across the slot or groove 87 it is necessary to turn the button 97 back through 90 of movement, across the bottom of the slot 105 until the pin 100 lies opposite the passageway 107, and at which moment the detent springs 89 will throw the shaft 93 outwardly and the pin 100 will drop into the depression 110; the detents then being in the position shown in Figure 7 for coupling of the fastener parts of the harness thereto, in a manner which is perfectly apparent.

Tn Figure 1 of the drawings is shown the improved harness in the position that it will assume when resting in a chair or seat in the aircraft. lWhile the chair or seat is not shown, such has been omitted in order to clearly present the idea that the harness and associated apparatus is not a part of the chair. The cross webs 161 and 162 of the harness, and the lift webs 17 and 18 and suspension straps have associated therewith a back pad 130. The seat portion of the sling may be connected in any approved manner to the pack B, and a seat pad 131 may be placed thereover in usual relation; the same being cut out to permit the leg attaching loop portion 52 to be assembled conveniently. Tn the parts as shown in Figure 1 it is merely necessary for the pilot or aviator to sit on the pad 131 and lean back against the back pad 130. The loop 52 is drawn upwardly between the legs; the ends of the leg straps and 51 are then threaded through the loop 52 and the fastener parts 5 1 and snapped into engagement with the detents of the connector C in the lower corners of the connector C, as shown in Figure 6 of the drawings. The pilot then brings the ends 32 and 33 of the straps 21 and 22 over his shoulders and diagonally downwardly at the front and connects them to the upper corner detents of the connector C. This assembles the harness upon the wearer as shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings. The general arrangement of the suspension straps and lift webs 17, 18, 21 and 22 is substantially'the same as that shown for the harness in co-pending application, Serial No. 481,317.

The back pad 130 is preferably detachable, and to this end it is provided with upper and lower flaps 133 and 134 provided with a conventional lift-the-dot snap fasteners 135. These flaps 183 and 131 tit across the cross straps 1G1 and 162 respectively, to hold the upper and lower portions of the back pad in place upon the harness. Similarly other flaps 137 may be provided at the lower sides of the pad 130 for engaging about the suspension webs of the harness wh ch connect with the shroud lines; it being understood that the fasteners 138 will snap" open when the parachute canopy is released and strain has been placed thereon, to enable the susension webs to suspend the jumper at the huckles 23 and 2 1 in the usual manner. Similarly upper flaps 139 are provided on the back pad which engage about the lift webs and preferably also beneath the riser straps 1.7 and 18.

The face of the depiessible button 97 is provided with suitable indicia as shown to instruct the jumper how to manipulate the same.

In Figure 6 the webs 30 and 31 and the associated suspension or lift web ends of the straps 17 and 18 instead of extending over the shoulders and rearwardly for connection in the seat type of pack, are brought down wardly in front of the wearer and connected together at their ends, where suitable quick connector buckles or fasteners 1 10 and 141 are provided, of the same general nature as the fastener parts set forth in a co-pending application Serial No. 395,399, which are properly positioned for the snapping of complementary fastener parts of a quick connector pack in place at the front of the wearer. These suspension lines or left webs are connected in proper place upon the front harness strap portions 32 and 33 by suitable break cords 142 which of course rupture when the parachute is released from the quick connector pack, as explained in the co-pending application last above mentioned.

From the foregoing description of this invention it is apparent that substantial improvements have been made on the single release type of harness which has been set forth in co-pending application, Serial No. 481,317. These improvements consist in the adaptation of the same harness to wearers of widely varying stature, and the improved connector materially increases the safety factor. Indeed the improved harness of this invention has been adopted by the British Air lVIinistry for the Fleet Air Arm of the British Air Force. Previously the personnel of the Fleet Air Arm were opposed to Wearing of any type of parachute, due to the impossibility of quickly releasing from the parachute. The improved harness retains all of the good riding qualities of the sling type of parachute harness and yet enablest-he aviator to quickly release himself from the harness to meet the emengency should the occasion arise.

The rip cord handle 151 is suitably retained in a fabric pocket 150 secured upon the lower side of the harness as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. It has a rip cord 152 connected therewith, slidable in the housing 153; the cord 152 extending as is conventional practice to the release fastenings of the pack.

Various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be made to the form lie at the front of the wearer, size adjustable releasable leg engaging straps connected with the sling and extending to the front of the wearer, and a single connector device releasably clamping the free ends of the shoulder straps and leg engaging straps at the front of the wearer.

2. Parachute harness comprising a device adapted to engage about the seat an extend upwardly along the sides to the rear of the wearer and over the shoulders of the wearer and terminating in free ends at the front of the wearer, means for connecting a parachute to said sling device, leg enga 'ng strap loops connected to the sling device aving means to adjust the lengths thereof and the size of the leg loop openings provided thereby, and a single connector device for releasably connecting the free ends of the sling device and releasably holding leg engaging strap loops closed.

,3. In a parachute harness the combination of a U-shaped sling in which the wearer sits including a seat portion proper having flexible riser webs extending therefrom, strap means connected with said riser webs for disosition over the shoulders of the wearer to ie at the front of the wearer, said straps last mentioned having fastener parts at the free ends thereof at the front of the wearer, length adjustable leg straps connected with the shng at opposite sides of the seat rtion thereof each terminating in free ends aving fastener parts connected thereat, a size adjustable loop connected with the sling at the seat thereof and of a nature to permit the leg straps first mentioned to be threaded therethrough for V flexibly encircling the legs of the wearer between said leg straps and said loop, and a single connector device for releasably clamping all the fastener parts above mentioned at a single location at the front of the wearer.

4. In a parachute harness the combination of a U-shaped sling in which the wearer sits consisting of a seat portion proper having flexible riser webs extending therefrom, strap means connected with said riser webs for disposition over the shoulders of the wearer to lie at the front of the wearer, said straps last mentioned having fastener parts at the free ends thereof at the front of the wearer, length adjustable legs straps connected with the sling at opposite sides of the.

seat portion thereof each terminating infree ends having fastener parts connected thereat,

a size adjustable loop connected with the sling at the seat thereof and of a nature to permit the leg straps first mentioned to be threaded therethrough for flexibly encircling the legs of the wearer between said leg straps and said loop, a single connector device for releasably clamping all the fastener parts above mentioned at a single location at the front of the wearer, and means for manipulating said single connector for simultaneous release of all of said fastener parts.

5. In parachute harness the combination of a lower body engaging harness including side straps extending upwardly along the sides of the wearer and terminating in parachute suspension lines, other straps a ably connected intermediate their ends with each of said side straps, each of said other straps providing a second suspension strap in associated relation with the suspension line of the associated side strap, each of said other straps furthermore provi a front strap with a fastener at the free en thereof, size adjustable leg encircling strap means including a pair of fasteners which when connected together will hold the harness upon the legs of the wearer and when released wlll permit the instant release of the same from the legs of the wearer, and a single connectin means for releasably connecting all of sai fastener parts together at the front of the wearer.

6. In parachute harness the combination of a U-shaped body supporting sling including a seat portion and upstanding side portions, means for connecting the upstanding side portions upon the body of a wearer, means for connecting a parachute to the sling, a closed loop of flexible strap material connected upon. the seat portion and adapted to be swung upwardly between the legs of the wearer at the front of the wearer, means for adjusting the size of the loop, flexible straps connected on the seat portion laterally beyond the loop and terminating in free ends for adjustable threading through the loop opening of said loop to provide adjustable leg receiving openings, means for adjusting the lengths of said flexible straps, and means for connecting the ends of said last mentioned straps in a retained relation with respect to the other portions of the harness.

7 In parachute harness the combination of a sling support having a seat portion and upstanding side portions. means for releasably attaching the upstanding side portions upon the upper part of the body of a wearer with the seat portion extending beneath the seat of the wearer, a closed loop of flexible material connected upon the seat portion and of a nature tor-be swung upwardly between the legs ofthe wearer to the front of the wearer, flexible straps connected the sling support beyond the'sides of the loop and terminating in free ends for adjustable threading justtill through the opening of the loop to provide adjustable leg receiving openings, connector means for releasably connecting the ends of said last mentioned straps together in a body retaining relation, and means for attaching a parachute pack upon the harness at the front of the wearer.

8. ln parachute apparatus a harness including a U-shaped sling support in which the aviator sits having strap ends extensible over the shoulders of a wearer and downwardly in front of the wearer in a convergent relation at the front of the wearer, quick releasing leg encircling means connected with the ll-shaped sling including strap ends extending upwardly at the front of the wearer in proximity to the ends of the straps which extend over the shoulders of the wearer as above mentioned, a single connector device for releasably connecting all of the strap ends mentioned together at the front of the wearer to retain the harness upon the wearer, said single connector device having means associated therewith to permit the simultaneous release of all of said harness strap ends for an instant disconnection of the harness from the wearer, and means for detachably connecting a parachute pack in an operative relation upon the ha rncss at the front of the wearer.

9. lln a parachute harness the combination of a ttshaped sling support including a seat portion engageable under the seat of a wearer and side straps extensible from the seat of the wearer upwardly along the sides and to the rear of the \\'I101',Stll(l Ushaped sling portion including strap ends extensible over the shoulders of the wearer in a convergent relation at their free ends at the front of the wearer, releasable leg encircling means connected with the U-shaped sling including strap ends converging at the front of the wearer in adjacent relation to the free ends of the straps above mentioned, a single quick release connector connecting the free ends of saidstraps together at the front of the wearer, suspension straps connected with the U- sha ied sling in adjacent relation to the portions of the sling which are in the vicinity of the shoulders of the wearer, means retaining said suspension straps at the front of the wearer, and means mounted upon said suspension straps at the front of a wearer for releasably attaching a quick connector pack upon the harness at the front of the wearer.

10. In a quick release parachuteharness for aviators the combination of a tJ-shaped sling including a seat portion and upstanding side portions, a loop connected upon the seat portion including a pair of straps having the ends thereof overlapped in length adjustable relation, a pair of flexible straps connected upon the sling laterally at the sides of the barness each including doubled ends adjustably connected intcrn'iediate the ends of the respectire straps for adjustment of the lengths of each. of said last mentioned straps, and quick connector means for releasably connecting the sling and ends of said straps which are adjustable in length together at the front to provide a body encasing harness.

11. In a harness the combination of a seat portion, a back portion, straps connected at the top of the back portion for extending over the shoulders and at the front of the wearer, fastener parts independently connected at the ends of said straps, straps connected at the sides of the seat portion and adapted to be Wrapped around the outer sides of the legs of a wearer, a loop connected with the seat portion of flexible material adapted to be brought upwardly between the legs of the wearer and to receive in threaded relation therethrough the straps at the sides of the seat portion to encircle the legs between the loop and the respective side straps, a single quick release connection for detachably connecting all of said fastener parts together at the front of the wearer, said back portion of the harness including a detachable pad.

12. In a parachute harness coupling the combination of a supporting body having a fastener part inserting opening therein, a spring urged detent normally positioned across said opening having a cam face to permit the insertion of a fastener part therein for engagement by the detent in a retaining relation, a rotatable depressible operating member for depressing said detent against spring action to release a fastener part which may be engaged thereby, means cooperatively associated with said'depressible member for permitting the depressible member to be depressed only when turned thru a predeten mined are, means for holding said depressible member depressed after it has been depressed, and means to permit the returning of said depressible member to a detent operative posit-ion upon turning of the depressible member thru a predetermined are.

13. In a coupling member the combination of a supporting body, a spring urged detent upon the supporting body normally actuated into a restraining position, means for moving said detent to an inoperative position including a rotatable depressing member connected therewith, said rotatable depressing member having an endless groove therein, a spring urged locking pin mount-ed upon the body and extending into said groove, said groove being varied in depth to prevent depression of the depressible member until it is rotated thru a predetermined arc and to prevent return from its depressed position until further rotated through a return are.

14;. In a connector of the class described a body, a spring urged detent, means for operatively or inoperatively positioning the spring urged detent including a rotatable stem having an endless groove in the outer periphery thereof, a spring urged locking pin mounted upon the body extending into said endless groove, the endless groove including a groove portion shaped to permit rotation of the stem through a predetermined are before it can be depressed, means to retain the stem and detent depressed after it has once been depressed, said groove being further shaped to permit it to be turned when in its depressed position to a position Where it will automatically return to an operative position as an incident of spring action upon the detent.

15. In a harness coupling the combination of a supporting body having fastener part inserting slots therein, spring urged detents carried by the body including sloping camlike faces in the slots for depression of the detents upon insertion of a fastener part, a reciprocable and rotary stem carried by the body, a spider connected with the stem and in non-rotatable relation connected with said detents for simultaneous depression of the latter upon movement of the stem longitudinally of its axis, a depressing head for said steam, said stem inwardly of the outer periphery thereof having upper and lower grooves circumferentially thereabout in substantial parallelism connected at similar ends by groove-like passageways, a spring urged looking pin on the body spring urged into said grooves and passageways, the grooves being varied in depth so that the end of one is deeper than the adjacent passageway and the similar end of the other groove, said other groove being deeper at its opposite end than the adjacent passagewayand similar end of the first mentioned groove.

LESLIE L. IRVIN. 

